---
title: O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26. In vitro fertilization; construction of Code.
collection: code
id: 31-1-26
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-1-26
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-1-26.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-1-26/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t31-(v23)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=da7ded69_0#page=52
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-1.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-1-25.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-2-1.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: HEALTH / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26. In vitro fertilization; construction of Code.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “in vitro fertilization” means a type of fertility treatment in which oocytes are removed from a female’s ovary and, in an embryology laboratory, fertilized with a male’s sperm to form one or more embryos that begin development in such laboratory and are subsequently transferred to a female’s uterus or preserved for future use.

(b) Nothing in this Code shall be construed to prohibit or prevent an individual from obtaining in vitro fertilization in this state.

## History

Code 1981, § 31-1-26, enacted by Ga. L. 2025, p. 169, § 2/HB 428, effective July 1, 2025.

## Cross References

When children conceived by artificial insemination legitimate, § 19-7-21.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2025, p. 169, § 1/HB 428, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “The General Assembly finds that:

“(1) Millions of Americans and Georgians have struggled to have children;

“(2) In vitro fertilization is a safe, effective, and legal way to make the dream of having children possible for many of those individuals;

“(3) Many members of this legislative body have received inquiries from the public regarding the legal status of this procedure; and

“(4) Such uncertainty needs to be addressed through legislation confirming that nothing in Georgia law prohibits or prevents an individual from obtaining in vitro fertilization in this state.”

## Effective Date

This Code section became effective July 1, 2025.